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The 2016 Grand Final will mark the end of an era as Mike Stevo Stephenson will commentate on his final game after 26 years on the microphone. Cheap Nike Air Max Shoes Wholesale . Stevos commentary with Eddie Hemmings has become an institution in its own right but all good things must come to an end and his retirement will leave a big hole.As a player, Stevo was part of the Great Britain team who won the World Cup in 1972 and played a key role in Dewsburys Championship triumph against the much-fancied Leeds in 1973. Stevo paved the way for the modern hooker - in fact, he changed the way the hooker plays with his darting runs from dummy half. After moving to Australia and playing for Penrith, Stevo retired from playing in 1978 and had no inclination to come back to England. However in 1990, he led a supporters group over for Australias tour, and Eddie convinced the newly formed British satellite television broadcaster BSB to give him a go as a commentator. Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson at the 2016 Man of Steel awards As BSB evolved and finally became Sky Sports, Stevo followed and his six-week visit that started way back in 1990 ended up being a 26-year tour!A keen scholar of the game, Stevo started the Rugby League Heritage Centre which featured the history of the game and looked to preserve memorabilia, including rare jerseys, medals, caps and programmes. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. For many years the centre was housed in the basement of the George Hotel in Huddersfield - the same hotel where, back in 1895, 21 northern clubs voted to break away from the Rugby Football Union and form what became the Rugby Football League.Following the sale of the hotel back in 2013, the collection was in jeopardy but it seems fitting that in the year of his retirement, plans were announced for a national museum to showcase his collection. Stevo is calling time on his broadcasting career after 26 years Stevo may not have been everyones cup of tea but no one can deny the passion and love he had for the game and even in retirement he will continue to promote the game.I have done my stint and I wont miss television - its time for younger people to take over, said Stevo.I will never miss rugby league because I will still watch it and go to games. I dont want to be thought of as the guy who stayed too long - a lot of people probably think that anyway. Its time for me to move on.Working alongside Eddie has been a absolute treat and I have enjoyed every single minute - even the arguments. I could not have done it without him.Eddie Hemmings Eddie and Stevo dress up in clothes from 1907 to commemorate New Zealands first tour to England 26 years have flown by and it wont be the same without him. The game will carry on but it wont be the same.It has been a blast - can I cope without him? We shall wait and see but he will always be a pal.Brian CarneyIf any player retires, becomes a commentator and delivers a broadcast with more energy than Stevo Ill be amazed. To do what he does for as long as he has takes fortitude. The fortitude you would expect from a World Cup winner. On the day you are doing a game that is hard to watch and harder to disguise for what it is, we will long for Stevo!!Terry OConnorHe is one of the greats. I think a lot of people have forgotten what he did on the field. As a player he was superb - Tim Sheens was a huge fan and says that he changed the way hookers played the game by running from dummy half.He always has time for everyone and is one of the nicest men I have ever met. He has been an absolute credit to the sport, a true gent and will be sorely missed.Barrie McDermottIm not looking forward to him going. He has been a huge mentor and a huge help for Terry and myself. We started at minus three and we have moved up to about zero - largely down to Stevo helping us out.With all his experience, it will be a huge loss to the game. In the not-too-distant future, I can see people saying that it is not the same without Stevo. Stevos colleagues from outside of Rugby League had some farewell messages for him Jon WellsThese are my ratings for Stevo:Value for money: 10/10 (goes without saying, really)Comfort: 8/10 (has become more comfortable with age)Amenities: 8/10 (used to have hair, now not so much)Location: 10/10 (ubiquitous for the last 25 years)He has spearheaded the development of televised rugby league in the UK for a quarter of a century along with Eddie Hemmings and Neville Smith and we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude for that.An amiable host who is perpetually full of joie de vivre, its never quiet when youre in his company. He is always on hand with advice and feedback, and willing to put himself out for the benefit of others. If I hear one more story about button mushrooms or gin and tonics at the Novotel, Ill explode. Prone to exaggeration (not necessarily a negative in this line of work).Phil Clarke Stevo and Phil Clarke with Dave Hadfield as he completes his Charity walk at Widnes Its B-Y-E time for Mike! Stevo has been the voice of Super League since its inception and has provided the commentary and controversy that all great sports need. His longevity in the sport, both on and off the field, has been remarkable and Id like to thank him for his efforts to promote and support the sport for so long.Professional rugby league is in the entertainment business and theres no doubt that Mike Stephenson has been entertaining. I would like to wish him well in his retirement, hopefully after hes seen his favourite one-pointer win the Grand Final.You can watch the Super League Grand Final, Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Sinfield: Stevo is Rugby League icon VOTE: Stevos top Super League player Rugby League on Sky Follow us @SkySportsRL Cheap Wholesale Air Max Shoes . We wonder if the price of a Roberts rookie card has at least gone up a few cents? Tribute Tweets #Padres Tony Gwynn had 287 career plate appearances against #Braves trio of Maddux, Glavine, & Smoltz, he hit . Cheap Nike Air Max Shoes China . Players suspended during the season for a performance-enhancing drug violation will not be eligible for that years post-season. In addition, discipline will increase from 50 games to 80 for a first testing violation and from 100 games to a season-long 162 for a second. A third violation remains a lifetime ban. http://www.wholesaleairmaxchina.com/ . Striker Dario Mandzukic scored the opener in the 22nd minute but was given a red card nine minutes later for a reckless tackle and left Croatia with 10 men for the remainder of the match.SAKHIR, Bahrain -- Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has conceded that his team will likely be playing catch-up to Mercedes throughout the Formula One season. Speaking ahead of this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be a night race for the first time, Domenicali said rival engine manufacturers Mercedes and Renault have an advantage on Renault because their road-car divisions have more experience with fuel-efficient six-cylinder engines, which have come into F1 this year. "We know that other engine manufacturers have advanced knowledge because they use that technology in their road cars, so we knew it was not going to be easy," Domenicali said on the official F1 website. "But we know the areas where we need to improve and falling into disappointment doesnt help." "If Mercedes keeps the pace it will be very difficult to match them." Ferrari has been well off the pace of the Mercedes team and Renault-powered Red Bull in the first two races in Austrralia and Malaysia, with Fernando Alonsos two fourth-place finishes the best the Italian team could manage. Air Max Wholesale Free Shipping. Domenicalis discussions with Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel in the paddock at last weekends Malaysian Grand Prix sparked renewed speculation that Ferrari was interested in signing the German, but the Ferrari chief insisted his team was satisfied with the performance of current drivers Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, who simply need a better car. "That is the urgent need, and it has to happen very soon," Domenicali said. "So far Fernando has proved to be fast immediately. Kimi needs some time to understand the car, but you can see he is getting there. I am sure from the drivers side there will not be a problem. "Sebastian is a fantastic driver, a four-time champion. Thats a fact. We as Ferrari are very pleased with what we have, and I am sure that Sebastian is also pleased with his situation because it looks as if he can fight again." ' ' '